From the date of its incorporation, October 18,
1894, until July 3, 1908, the City Government was operated under State
law, which provided for the election of all officials by direct vote of
the people.

In 1908 the City adopted its first charter form of
government. This Charter contained twenty articles and divided the
City into six wards; the governing body consisted of a Mayor and a
councilman from each ward, all elected by voters of the City.

Since 1930, Shawnee has operated under a managerial
form of government. The commission appoints a City
Manager, who has charge of all the departments of the City. The
Board of Commissioners pass all
ordinances and must confirm all appointments made by the City Manager.
It is purely representative in form; the power is derived directly from
the people.

Commission meetings are the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month
starting at 6:30pm as of January 1st, 2007. Watch the meeting LIVE
on local cable channel 30 or view the web versions on the
MEDIA PAGE.